Kerry Kittles scored 29 points and grabbed a career-high 13
rebounds, and Sam Cassell had 26 of his 28 points in the second
half, as the New Jersey Nets snapped a three-game losing streak
with a 110-101 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies.

Jayson Williams also contributed 18 points and 15 rebounds and
Cassell eight assists for the Nets, who have never lost to the
Grizzlies, having won all six meetings. New Jersey won at
Vancouver on January 31st, 116-106.

"I just thought it was a great team effort on our part," Kittles
said. "It was a big win, especially having lost three straight
games. If you want a good seed in the playoffs, you can't do
that (lose three straight). In the fourth quarter, Sam really
got it done for us. He made some big plays and made some great
shots."

Bryant Reeves scored 31 points on 12-for-19 shooting and had a
season-high 15 rebounds and Shareef Abdur-Rahim chipped in with
26 and eight for the Grizzlies, who dropped their fourth
straight game and sixth in a row on the road. Vancouver has lost
11 of its last 12 games, after winning three straight from
January 20-24th. Michael Smith also had 11 boards.

"We've played two consecutive games now where we have improved,"
Vancouver coach Brian Hill said. "That is the key for this team
at this point. I thought we got some good looks at the basket,
but the ball just wouldn't fall. Give the Nets credit, they made
the good plays down the stretch. For the most part we took good
care of the basketball and executed pretty well. I was happy
with the performance."

After a basket by Bobby Hurley pulled Vancouver within 81-80 at
the 9:45 mark of the fourth quarter, New Jersey scored six
straight points. Cassell capped it off with a jumper to make it
87-80 Nets with 8:25 remaining.

Vancouver came right back with five straight points over the
next 72 seconds, on a jumper by George Lynch and a three-pointer
by Pete Chilcutt, drawing within 87-85.

New Jersey responded with a 9-2 spurt to gain control, starting
with a pair of free throws by Sherman Douglas and closing with
two free throws by Cassell, opening up a 96-87 advantage with
3:54 left.

"I just wanted to give the team a lift and give a better effort
on my part, and it got us going," Cassell said. "I just was
doing the things I know I can do on a basketball court."

A three-pointer by Keith Van Horn, who shot just 5-for-15, gave
New Jersey a 104-96 lead with 45 seconds left. The Grizzlies
cut the lead to 104-99 just six seconds later after a
three-pointer by Chilcutt, but the Nets hit 6-of-8 free throws
down the stretch, with Cassell hitting three of those, to
maintain the lead.

"Jayson was back to being his effervescent self, New Jersey
coach John Calipari said. "You could see it in his eyes. And
how about that kid Keith. He was missing his shots all night
long but then nailed a huge three for us at the end. He's got
courage or maybe he's just dumb.

"(Brian) Evans played a lot. He was a little slow on the
rotations but he played very well. Heck, he's only been here for
1 1/2 days (after coming over from Orlando in the Rony Seikaly
trade)."

With Kittles scoring 15 points New Jersey grabbed a 26-25 lead
after the first quarter.

The Grizzlies evened the score at 50-50 at halftime after
putting together an 11-2 run over the last 2:10 of the second
quarter. Lee Mayberry started the burst with a three-pointer
and a driving layup by Michael Smith with 34 seconds left capped
it off. Reeves finished the half with 16 points and 10
rebounds.

The teams battled back and forth in the third quarter, with six
ties and three lead changes. The Grizzlies, behind
Abdur-Rahim's 12 points, including eight straight late in the
quarter, took a 76-75 heading into the fourth quarter.

Evans made his first career start. He was in the lineup
replacing Kendall Gill, who sat out the game with a sore big toe
on his right foot. In 31 minutes Evans had four points, four
rebounds and two assists.

"I was excited about the start," Evans said. "Obviously it is a
pretty tough spot for me (guarding Abdur-Rahim). I was pretty
happy with my performance. I don't think he scored over me that
much. He got most of his points in transition."